[EAS] [Pubtech] NWS Status as an EAS Monitoring Source

[Sean Donelan]

On Fri, 20 Aug 2021, Dave Kline wrote:
 My question to the respective groups is:
 Are you aware of any such ruling by the FCC or FEMA, or other federal
 agency that would confirm that monitoring NWS is now optional, and is not
 required for EAS. This question assumes that stations are already
 monitoring two other sources for national alerts and IPAWS, as indicated in
 Part 11.

This is not a change.  EAS participation in state and local EAS operations 
has always been voluntary.

EAS participants are required to monitor two assigned EAS sources 
(plus the internet connection to IPAWS CAP) of the national-level EAS 
message (i.e. EAN) according to 47CFR11.52 (d) (1). Monitoring additional 
sources, such as NWS, may be encouraged in a state or local plan, but 
isn't required by the FCC rules.

There was one exception in one state, which used one NWS Weather Forcast 
Office transmitter as the national EAN source. No other NWS radio 
transmitters carry the national EAN.

Remember, SECCs don't have any legal enforcement power.  The FCC only 
enforces the parts of a state EAS plan specified in FCC rules. Other parts 
of a state EAS plan a just optional information.

Part 11.54 EAS operation during a National Level emergency ("shall")

Part 11.55 EAS operation during a State or Local Area emergency ("may")